Get Involved

NACNS is the unified voice for advancing clinical nurse specialist practice and education. The association’s work promoting the unique contributions the clinical nurse specialist brings to health care is thanks to the dedication of our clinical nurse specialist volunteer leaders!

Volunteers are the backbone of the association’s makeup. Clinical nurse specialists’ work on committees and task forces drives our research agenda, meeting planning, public policy priorities and much more.

We applaud our CNS volunteers and encourage more of you to donate some of your time and expertise to promoting the role of the CNS. Volunteer opportunities are announced at different points during the year to serve on planning committees, standing priorities and initiative-specific task forces and committees. Watch this space for future opportunities!

Task Forces

Please note: All task forces are appointed by the board. Periodically, NACNS will send notices to members via blast email to announce task force opportunities. NACNS is now currently recruiting for task forces.

NACNS is currently recruiting for a new task force. Please click on Population Health Task Force to be considered for an appointment to this task force.

Some examples of recent task forces are:

The Opioid/Pain Management Task Force was appointed to identify resources that the CNS needs to address appropriate opioid use/pain management in their practice. The task force also is charged with making recommendations to the NACNS Board of Directors for the practice, research, education, and legislative/regulatory committees to develop policy or resources to address this national health care crisis.

The Infection Control Task Force was formed to assist NACNS in collaborating with the association’s work in the NICE Network with the American Nurses Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Committees

Please note: The call for committee volunteers opens each May. Committee member selection occurs in June with the initial meeting for the specific committee occurring in July of each year.

The Affiliate Advisory Committee provides information and guidance to affiliates and ensures communication between the affiliate(s) and the Board of Directors.

The Awards Committee determines the recipients for annual awards that recognize the contributions consistent with the mission of NACNS. The awards include: Practice, Education, Preceptor, Research and CNS of the Year.

The Education Committee provides guidance to the NACNS Board of Directors on key issues impacting graduate programs, faculty, students and national accrediting and credentialing bodies. This committee ensures that current data related to the preparation of CNSs are obtained and disseminated and provides multiple forums for CNS educators to address issues pertinent to CNS education.

The Legislative/Regulatory Committee represents NACNS and responds to individual members, state and federal legislators, other professional associations and boards of nursing on national and state issues, which affect recognition, reimbursement, and practice of CNSs.

The Membership Committee provides advice to the NACNS Board of Directors on activities that can grow NACNS membership.

The Practice Committee identifies contemporary and evolving practice issues that affect CNSs and develop related activities like practice advisories and position statements. It also provides advice to the NACNS Board of Directors on these issues.

The Research Committee conducts and/or directs research activities supporting the organization and CNS practice. It gives advice to the NACNS Board of Directors on the association’s research needs.